Dublin: Fingal Co. Council to allow Civil Marriages in Town Hall

Well it would appear the Civil Registrations Act 2004 has begun its remit properly with the Green Party encouraging the use of Civic Buildings in order to allow the institution of Civil marriage to take place. Needless to say, this applies to Heterosexual couples only. Oh and any councils out there which wants to start issuing Marriage licenses for Same-sex couples, it would be great if you thought about it, whilst also using your own clout to influence Central Government policy. Funny isn't it though that this comes from a Green Party Cllr when there own party endorses Same-Sex Civil Marriage but kinda gave up on that when they went into Government..

Couples to say ‘I do’ in Swords County Hall

Green Party Cllr Joe Corr has welcomed Fingal County Council's decision to allow civil marriage ceremonies take place in the council chamber of the County Hall in Swords.

Cllr Corr put a motion to the Council requesting the use of the chambers, following recent legislation changes permitting civil marriage ceremonies at nominated locations.

Cllr Corr said: “Fingal County Council’s Swords building offer fine facilities to local couples who wish to marry. The council chamber in County Hall is very beautifully designed and would make a fantastic back drop for a marriage ceremony. There are a number of additional benefits to having a civil ceremony at the Hall. Firstly there is the size of the room and the public gallery to accommodate guests. Secondly, there is the added value of web-casting so that relatives around the world unable to attend the wedding can log on and view it. I also see it as a valuable service provided by the council for the community and in particular for couples who would like to have an alternative to a church wedding in their local area.”

The motion received widespread cross party support and the Council Executive has said arrangements will be made to make the Chamber available when not in official use.

“I consider Fingal County Council to be the most innovative local authority in the country and as a local authority both the management and the elected members are constantly looking for new ways to provide a full service to the people of Fingal,” said Cllr Corr. “I am delighted that the Corporate Service Department will now actively pursue the possibility of having the Mayor of the day appointed as a Soleminister to perform the civil ceremonies, and make Fingal the first local authority in the Republic of Ireland to do so.”

via: Green Party Website.

Dáil Records:

Whilst reading through some of the Dáil records I came across this little gem from Deputy O'Connor. He was speaking about the Civil Registrations Bill on 28/1/2004 and was a little bit aphrehensive about his input on the bill. However this is a great piece to have in Dail records regardless!

Mr. O'Connor: "Since I became a Member of the
Dáil I have sometimes considered how I might address the Chamber and contribute effectively to various debates. I learned today that responding to a fire alarm is an
effective way to get Members of the House worked up and excited. Bearing in mind the type of legislation under discussion it was perhaps appropriate and, indeed, ironic.
I am glad we all survived and I hope my colleagues opposite survived it as
well..."

Dáil Éireann - Volume 578 - 28 January, 2004
Civil
Registration Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed).

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